The Ultimate NYC Super Bowl Guide

By James Mulcahy | January 23, 2014

Even though the Jets and the Giants weren't in contention this season, Big Apple dwellers can still get amped up for Super Bowl 48, which is being played out at MetLife Stadium in the Meadowlands - no matter how cold it gets. The whole Tri-State area will be full of visitors geared up for the game, and the city's culinary scene will be ready with pop-up restaurants, game-day parties and takeout deals galore. Whichever team you're rooting for, you'll find some selections that you can cheer about.

One Penn Plaza will play host to a special lounge that will showcase a number of top culinary talents like Bill Telepan, Franklin Becker and Marc Forgione. Dubbed the 50 Yard Lounge, the concession will be open from 9 AM to 2 AM starting on January 29 and running through February 2, aka game day. Entry will get you all you can eat and drink, but you'll have to pay a premium - tickets range from $400 to $650 depending on when you drop by. Get info here.

Danny Meyer is also getting into the Super Bowl pop-up game, with a temporary restaurant he's running in conjunction with the NFL dubbed Forty Ate. Located in the Renaissance New York Times Square, the menu is filled with classics like steaks and burgers and the venue will be open on lunch and dinner on January 27 to February 2. See the menu and score details here (that burger pic is from the pop-up, yum).

Studio Square in Queens is hosting a pre-game party dubbed TailGate 48, which is hosted by meat maestro Pat LaFrieda along with TV chef Robert Irvine on Sunday, January 26th ($125 per person, here are the details). In addtion to all-you-can-eat meat, the ticket includes beer tastings and live entertainment.

Ultimate Sports Bars

The first stop (and last stop, depending on the amount of beers consumed) for folks who want to get out to watch the game will be at one of NYC's iconic sports bars. All of the below will have the game playing and provide a beer-soaked atmosphere, but here are a few tips that will help you decide which one to hit up.

The Ainsworth / Ainsworth Park: This duo of Manhattan based bars are key examples of sporty bars that have done away with the traditional sawdust-on-the-floor model and gone upscale. They'll be filled with young professionals with investment banking money to burn.

Blondie’s: This iconic UWS watering hole has some of the best Buffalo wings in NYC, so that's a plus. If you want to watch in a totally no-frills environment, this is your spot.

Bar Coastal: If you want to gorge on wings but don't want to head to the West Side, this UES joint has your hook up. Also, on their Facebook page they promise that the don't have "preppy idiots puking everywhere" and that works for us.

Mulholland's: This go-to sports bar in Brooklyn has 22 beers on tap, plenty of pub grub and will play the game on a dozen TVs.

Professor Thom's: Pats fans fill this East Village favorite during games, and groups can cheer on teams from booths that are equipped with their own television screens.

40/40 Club: The sports bar that's actually a club. Famously owned by Jay-Z, this is the venue to hit if you'd rather pop bottles than pull pints on game day.

Non-Sports Bars Showing the Game

If you want to venture out of your house but don't feel like dealing with a bunch of rowdy fans, there are plenty of normal bars that will show the game. Among the most high-end is Jimmy, the chic rooftop lounge in the James Hotel which has debuted a new menu featuring mini grilled cheeses and Kobe franks in a blanket. Another penthouse hosting a game-day party is Chelsea's Rare Bar and Grill - this enclosed rooftop is offering personal butlers for large parties as a bonus.

Pony Bar in Hell's Kitchen will hook you up with craft beers as you watch the game and Brooklyn Winery is your go to spot for vino, walk ins are accepted there, but if you want to make sure you get a seat you can reserve a table for your crew for $250. The price includes a spread of food and some beer and wine, book it here.

The Biergarten at The Standard Hotel is hosting two gameday parties. First up, its time to tailgate. From noon to 4:45 PM, you can reserve a table for $250 and load up on pretzels, sausages and beer as you listen to a live band play through the afternoon. At 5 PM the proper party starts - the game will be broadcast on two 80 inch televisions and prizes will be given throughout the game. The table minimum is $500, though if you purchase the tailgate package, it will count towards the minimum.

Restaurants Go Tailgate

Notable chefs and restaurants are planning to offer their version of a classic tailgate, both before and during the game. Dale Talde's Pork Slope will offer an all-you-can-eat meal that will feature porky melt sandwiches and burgers washed down with unlimited pitchers of beer for $75 per person.

Italian spot Avoce Columbus will serve a three-course menu leading up to the game from January 29 to December 1 that highlights spins on traditional fare - think roasted chicken with bacon and chili ($65 per person); on gameday they will dish out the same dishes as a buffet for $99, with the game broadcast on a big screen.

The Cannibal Hell's Kitchen, located inside the Gotham West Market, will go Mexican for their game day party. For $120 you get access to an all-you-can-eat spread of taco and snacks like jalapeno poppers along with micheladas and margaritas. The shindig starts at 5 PM and the game will play on projection screens throughout the market.

Football fans who keep kosher should check out the Super Bowl party at La Brochette, a new restaurant serving steak and sushi in Midtown East. Guests can snack on lamb chops, filet and short ribs, which can be paired with HE'BREW kosher beer, which the eatery is bringing in especially for the game.

High-End Takeout

February 4 will surely be one of the Year's biggest days for takeout - our friends at Seamless report that orders for wings are up 380% over a normal day during the game. A number of NYC eateries offer Super Bowl-only packages, here are a few of our favorites (and stay tuned for a larger guide on to-go offerings).

Subs:No. 7 Sub is putting together party platters that contain three and six foot sandwiches, along with sides and smaller offerings. Prices range from $200 to $585, depending on how many mouths you need to feed. See the menu here.

Fried Chicken: You can watch the game at any of the Bromberg Brothers' restaurants, but if you want their crispy chicken delivered to your man cave (aka way-too-small studio), Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken will offer a 24 piece package called The Tailgater for $45.

Mexican: April Bloomfield's taqueria Salvation Taco has put together a take-out fiesta that will feed 8 to 12 people for $200. The tacos feature ingredients like slow-roasted pork and braised lamb, and the delivery comes with a choice of margarita or michelada mix, so all you have to do is add the booze.

So you're tired of the same old bars and you don't want to host a party. These options may not scream football, but they all are hosting outside-of-the-norm gameday parties.

The W Hotels: The swanky hotel chain will show the game in their Living Room lounges (pictured) at the Downtown and Times Square locations, but the real ballers will want to check out their "sky boxes" (also at the Lexington Avenue location). These private party rooms will host up to 25 people for five hours of open bar and passed appetizers for $350 per person (we told you it was for the ballers). Details and booking here.

Boxers: The mini-chain of sports-themed gay bars will show the game at both their Chelsea and their Hell's Kitchen locations. Bummer that Beyonce is not doing halftime this year.

Hustler Club: And for those of you who can't get through the game without a little...er... distraction, The Hustler Club in Hell's Kitchen is promising a blowout with the game showing on 15 TVs. The outdoor cigar lounge is open and this scandalous shindig starts at 1 PM (somehow, we feel like most patrons will arrive significantly later than that).

For The Diner Who's Over It

If the word "sea hawk" inspires dreams of exotic game rather than visions of gameday glory, chances are you're probably going to skip the telecast this year. Don't worry - there is good news for you. Super Bowl Sunday is actually a great day to score reservations at impenetrable hot spots, since everyone is glued to the TV. A quick spot check at press time found prime time reservations at spots like Del Posto, The NoMad and Torrisi. If there's somewhere you've been meaning to go, give them a call.